Fun family activities are the backbone of building memories with your kids. Time flies by quickly — your kids will think they’re too cool for family fun soon enough. Before your little one hits the double digits, make time for some creative fun together.
You don’t need to do anything big or grand or complicated. “The best family activities are the simplest ones,” says parenting author Susan Heim. “Kids will remember and love the spontaneous activities we do with them just as much — or even more — than those activities we pre-plan and spend a fortune to do.”
Moms on Call co-founder Jennifer Walker adds, “Double digits is quite a milestone. There are a few things to pack into those late elementary years that you won’t want to miss.” You don’t have to think big when planning family activities, says Holly Homer, co-founder of the Kids Activities Blog and co-author of the book “101 Kids Activities That Are The Bestest, Funnest Ever “Visit all the playgrounds in your city, run in the sprinklers or go to a splash-park.”
These experts joined forces to fill your family’s bucket list with these 50 fun family activities.
- Hit the beach. Dip your toes in the ocean and build sandcastles.
- Take a hike. There’s nothing like getting back to nature to create a family bond.
- Go on a cross-country road trip. Let the kids plan sights to see and things to do.
- Visit a farm. Let the kids feed the horses, goats and sheep, and make animal noises together.
- Book a flight. Visit family, friends or a place you’ve always wanted to see.
- Go fishing together. Dig worms, buy bait or use fishing lures to reel one in.
- Ride horses. Some stables offer family night discounts.
- Go to an amusement park. Take turns choosing rides.
- Take a trip to Washington, D.C. Your kids will be awestruck by the famous monuments and memorials.
- Visit your home town. Show the kiddos your favorite childhood hangouts.
- Climb a tree. Whether you did it when you were a kid or not, it’s a lot of fun. And playing outdoors is great for kids’ health.
- Build a club house. Working together on family projects is a great way to make memories.
- Row a canoe on the lake. It’s all about teamwork.
- Go to the zoo. Walker suggests, “Plan a picture scavenger hunt to make a zoo trip even more fun.”
- Have a water balloon fight.
- Start a tradition. Whether it’s a weekly game night or regular trips to the ice cream parlor, traditions give your kids something to look forward to and remember fondly.
- Pick your own fruit. Visit an orchard and make a pie or jelly with the goods you pick.
- Explore history in a pioneer village. Many historic sites offer activities for kids to make history spring to life.
- Cook together. Your kids will thank you when they’re grown.
- Watch a parade together. Even better, make this an annual ritual.
- Take a dip. Go swimming at your local pool or lake.
- Go crazy in the candy store. Let them get whatever they want (just this once!).
- Visit a children’s museum with hands-on exhibits.
- Take a Sunday drive to nowhere. Let the kids pick the turns.
- Volunteer at a food bank or animal shelter.
- Have a picnic lunch outdoors. Ask you kids for help packing it.
- Adopt a pet. Start small with goldfish.
- Grow a garden. Eat what you harvest.
- Plant a tree. Grow one in each child’s honor.
- Wade in shallow streams or tide pools. Wear rain boots or old shoes as you look for tadpoles or starfish.
- Host a backyard block party.
- Go skiing or snowboarding.
- Learn family history. Ask grandparents to share their past and plot out a family tree.
- Ride bikes together.
- Roast marshmallows in your backyard before making s’mores.
- Fly kites in a park.
- Ice skate or roller skate together.
- Go camping in a tent.
- Ride a miniature railroad. Your kids will love riding a pint-size train as much as they love the life-size versions.
- Tell each other a funny joke.
- Run or walk a 5K race together.
- Try your hand at glow-in-the-dark bowling. Let the kids stay up for this late-night treat.
- Jump in puddles together after a rainfall.
- Take a bug walk and look for worms or caterpillars.
- Use sidewalk chalk to color on the driveway.
- Blow bubbles together. See who can pop the most.
- Make homemade snow cones or ice pops.
- Take a factory tour. Find a kid-friendly chocolate or toy factory and see how their products are made.
- Visit a water park.
- Make something. Visit an art or pottery studio and make your own keepsake of your day together.
For more ideas, check out these 101 Fun Things to Do With Kids This Summer
Sandy Wallace is a busy mom who enjoys many fun adventures with her family. Sandy also enjoys sharing tips to help parents find joy in daily life and make memories with their family.
